CHICAGO, May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) announced that Steve Trenholm, currently CEO of EC&R North America, will become Chairman of EC&R North America effective May 1, 2013. This newly created position recognizes the significant expansion of wider E.ON Group operations in North America. In his new role, Trenholm will ensure that all E.ON Group policies are implemented consistently across North America. He will continue in his other roles as Director of Compliance and Director of Performance Improvement for EC&R.

"E.ON is continuing its expansion in the U.S. energy market because the U.S. still offers many opportunities to provide energy services," said Trenholm. "As of today, E.ON not only has significant onshore wind activities in North America but our global solar business has moved its headquarters to San Francisco, and our colleagues from E.ON Global Commodities (EGC) are also starting to build their U.S. presence." EC&R North America will perform responsibilities similar to E.ON Regional Units in European countries.

Patrick Woodson, currently COO for EC&R North America Wind, will become CEO of the EC&R's North American on-shore wind group. Woodson will oversee the company's 2,700 megawatts from 18 wind farms across 5 states. EC&R North America Wind has approximately 260 employees in its Chicago, Austin, Texas and Portland, Ore., offices and its wind farms.

"We've built a solid operating portfolio and robust development pipeline across the U.S. Wind continues to prove its viability as an operating resource and remains a competitive source of homegrown electricity for consumers," said Woodson. "We hope to build on our good work and expanding our presence in the North American market in the coming years. This will be a great opportunity for us to take stock of our existing assets and help refocus our strategic footprint as well."

Bio MaterialSteve Trenholm joined the company in October 2007 (as Airtricity), where he served as Senior Vice President, Construction and Operations. He was named CEO in mid-2009, shortly after the completion of E.ON's purchase of Airtricity. Over the past four years, he has helped E.ON grow its North American business to an enterprise value of more than $5 billion. By the end of 2012, EC&R North America had built more than 2,700 MW of wind generation, with current operations in Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana and New York.

Mr. Trenholm has more than 30 years of experience in the energy industry with an extensive background in project development and mergers & acquisitions, having developed significant expertise in the areas of: due diligence, asset valuation, business and strategic planning, business process reengineering, and organizational effectiveness. Mr. Trenholm serves on the Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Leadership Council of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in General Sciences and Master of Science degree in Radiation Biology from Oregon State University, as well as an M.B.A. from Northwestern University.

Based in Austin, Texas, Patrick Woodson has worked in the wind business since 1996. Woodson was a co-founder of Renewable Generation, which was later acquired by Airtricity. He joined E. ON after the acquisition of Airtricity. At E.ON Woodson oversaw development efforts and helped E.ON become one of the five largest owners and operators of wind farms in the U.S. He assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer in late 2011 and directed all development, construction and operations activities. Woodson is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

About EC&RE.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) is responsible for the E.ON group's large-scale renewable energy activities around the world. Tapping renewable energy sources offers enormous alternatives, both from a business perspective and for the environment. E.ON Climate & Renewables has already invested €8 billion in renewable energy projects and will continue to expand the share of renewable energy in E.ON's power generation portfolio. E.ON has thus taken a leading role in developing renewable energy sources worldwide. For more information, please visit www.eon.com/renewables.